Closure latch



Feb. 5 {19240 F. J. KLEPPER CLOSURE LATCH Filed March 22 1925 TATES FRANK J. KLEPPER, F EARLING, IOWA.

CLOSURE LATCH.

Application filed March 22,

T 0 all whomz't may concern Be it known that I, FRANK J. KLEPPER, citizen of the United States residing at Earling, in the county of Shelby and gtate of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Closure Latch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in closure latches, particularly for latches designed to be used with double hung gates which may be opened to either side.

Another object of this invention is to provide a latch which will not be subject to accidental opening, or unlatching, and cannot be opened by the nosing or rubbing of cattle.

Another object is to provide a closure latch which is durable, cheap to make and not liable to get out of order; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions which are hereinafter described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the latch in use with a gate.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the latch with one latch member in an open position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical central section taken on line TIL-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the cam guide and locking member.

In carrying out the invention 1 is a plate having holes 2 therethrough for the reception of screws S by means of which the device is fastened to a gate post P. The plate is provided with four horizontally projecting lugs 3, perforated transversely for the reception of a pintle 4.-.

The latch ears 5 are provided at their inner ends with tubular bearings 6 which fit on the pintle 4 between the lugs 3, said lugs holding the latch bars in spaced relation for the accommodation of the gate G be- 4 tween them.

The locking links 7, pivoted at point 8 to the outer end of the latch ears 5, are provided at their upper ends with transverse pins 9. adapted to engage the locking cars 10.

Looking ears 10 and guide arms 11 form a cam and are each made integrally of rebent material, provided at the ends adjacent 1923. Serial No. 626,775.

to plate 1 with right angle cars 12 pierced as at 13 for the reception of rivets 14: by means of which the member is rigidly fas- 5 tened to plate 1.

The slot 15 formed by guide arms 11 is adapted to hold locking link 7 in aligned relation to the locking ears 10, and also to provide a cam surface 16 upon which pin 9 normally rests when the device is in an operative or lowered position.

The latch ears 5 pivot independently of each other on pintle 4, which allows either side to be raised and lowered as shown in Fig. 2, without affecting the other.

Pin 9 normally rests at point 16. and any upward thrust will cause it to follow the cam surface 17 to a position behind and under the slightly downwardly projecting ears 10, thus positively preventing the further raising of latch ears 5 and a consequent unlatching of the gate.

To effect unlatching, the pin 9 of latch link 7 is pushed along surface 18 of guide arm 11 until out of alignment with locking ear 10, after which an upward pressure on latch ear 5 will permit moving the link 7 and latch ear 5 into a position such as that shown at the left in Fig. 2.

On dropping. the toggle movement of latch ear 5 and latch link 7 brings pin 9 into engagement with surface 19 of lock ng ear 10. The downwardly curved surface 19 carries pin 9 back to its normal position of rest at 16, and allows the latching ear 5 to resume its normal functional position.

It is obvious that any nosing. rubbing or other interference by cattle and stock cannot effect an opening of the gate while this latch is in use. I

Manifestly either of the latch ears may be opened to the position shown in Fig. 2, and the gate swung open in either direction.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination with independently movable latch ears in spaced relation, of a supporting link for said ears engaging a cam surface at its free end. the cam surface guiding the link into a locked position.

2. The combination with independently movable latch ears in spaced relation, of a locking link for said ears engaging a locking cam at its free end, said cam having extended guide arms in operative relation to said to cooperate with said cam and said guide locking link. arms. 10

3. The combination with independently In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature movable latch ears in spaced relation, of a in the presence of two Witnesses.

5 locking means for said ears comprising a FRANK J. KLEPPER.

pivotally connected link, cams, spaced guide Witnesses: arms formed integrally with said cams, and ALBERT MoGINN,

an engaging member on said link adapted BROWN. 

